The Ticking Tortoise was a brand new audax event for 2021 - A 166km Severn Bridge Series event with around 1300 metres climbing. I completed this adventure with Ron and Andy P. All in all, a great day out.
Taking inspiration from the route Mike Lane rode 'week in week out' on his way to becoming the 6 Times National Audax Champion, Oliver Iles designed a winter friendly flat route out to the Somerset Levels and back for riders to enjoy.
Starting from Warmley Waiting Rooms Cafe which opened early for us, we rode a section of the Bristol to Bath Cycle path before a low traffic route through Bristol to get us back onto National Cycle Routes to the flat Clevedon Moors. Next over to the Strawberry Line in Yatton where we cycled the cycle path till Sandford.
Next we headed onto the Somerset Levels, passing the 18C Ashton Windmill for a well earned Coffee break at the Cycle Friendly Sweets Tea Rooms. To be honest, we had no real break as the queue's were menace. I spent a few mins tightening the bolts to my loose bottle cage.
Next we headed towards Glastonbury for fine views of the Tor before heading back over the Somerset Levels ready for a short but tough climb up to Snake Lane maxing out at 20%.
More riding on the levels before a final short climb with great views back over the Somerset Levels where we took advantage of the FREE Hot Dog stand that was ready for us. I was champion here and devoured 3 double hot dogs!
Then return home from Bleadon onwards was mostly on the same roads out.
I also used this ride to complete Gravel Union's Changing Seasons Doorstep Challenge. The pictures and the brevet card that I needed to complete are pictured below. My route was added to Komoot and the pictures to Instagram.
